DL not likely for Wieters; Pie is day-to-day

ARLINGTON -- Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel said that at this point it doesn't appear that rookie catcher Matt Wieters (right hamstring strain) will have to go on the 15-day disabled list.

Wieters, who came out of Friday's game after stumbling around second base, wasn't in the lineup Saturday and will not play Sunday. He'll have four days off for the All-Star break, and the Orioles are hoping that's enough time for him to recover from his recurring injury.

Wieters said before Saturday's game that he was feeling better, though he was limping noticeably. He told Samuel that he had a similar hamstring in the Minor Leagues and missed six games.

"It's not as bad as it appears," Samuel said. "He's going to be treated over the All-Star break. We'll see when we come back on Thursday. We have a scheduled workout in Baltimore. We'll see how he feels, and if at that point he still needs some time, we might have to make a decision and get us some help."

Outfielder Felix Pie (left quad strain) told Samuel that he was OK to play Saturday, but Samuel said he would try to stay away from the left fielder in these final two games before the break.

"We just want to be careful with him," Samuel said.

Corey Patterson, who hit a game-tying grand slam as the designated hitter in Friday's game, started in left field on Saturday.

Fox knows he has to earn everyday role

ARLINGTON -- Jake Fox, playing for his third organization, knows he has to earn his way into being an everyday player. He hopes big hits like Friday night, when he belted a game-winning home run in the 10th inning, can be one of those moments that will help him break through.

Fox, acquired by the Orioles for a Minor League pitcher on June 22, knows it's tough getting an everyday role, but he won't give up on his dream.

"There's nothing you can do to get around that," Fox said. "You just have to try your best to be one of those guys. "I'm still young. I'm not ready to give up on the idea of being an everyday player."

Fox has developed a fan in Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel, who had the 27-year old from Beech Grove, Ind., starting at first base Saturday night. Fox, who can also play third base and left field, could find himself catching in Sunday's final game before the All-Star break.

Samuel compared Fox to the Twins' Nick Punto and the Braves' Omar Infante, both versatile players. In fact, Infante just made the National League All-Star team.

"Jake's been tremendous," Samuel said. "We've been losing too many guys [to injuries] and we've been able to throw in left field, first base, we already had him catching out there. We've seen him take ground balls at third base.

"It just gives us so many options as a guy you can bring off the bench. He plays each position with confidence. He's a confident guy right now."

Worth noting

Infielder Josh Bell was optioned back to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Saturday night's starter Chris Tillman ... Samuel said left-handed starter Brian Bergesen could help out in the bullpen if needed with the four-day break starting Monday for the All-Star Game ... If starting catcher Matt Wieters has to go on the disabled list, Samuel said that the club could go with Clay Tatum as the starter and the versatile Jake Fox as the backup. Samuel said he will monitor Tatum for fatigue in Saturday's game before deciding to start him in Sunday's afternoon game

Todd Wills is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.